Kabusa Oriental Choir has released a cover of Kehlani’s “Folded”, offering a different interpretation of the song through choral arrangements and Afrosoul influences.
The Abuja-based group, known for reworking contemporary songs with layered vocal performances, recorded the cover earlier this year after what choir director Austin Nwamara describes as a long creative pull toward the record.
According to Nwamara, the idea to revisit “Folded” first emerged in late 2025 and remained on his mind even as the choir worked on other material.
“This song started calling out to me since October last year and followed me into 2026,” he said. “We recorded other songs and were on the verge of releasing them, but this song wouldn’t let me be.”
The project was developed alongside producer David Acekeyz, who worked with the choir to build a new sonic framework around the original song. While the first version of the instrumental did not immediately resonate with him, Nwamara says he felt there was something worth exploring in it.
From there, the group developed the vocal arrangements through rehearsals before heading into the studio in Abuja to record the track.
The choir describes the recording process as unusually straightforward, with the song taking shape naturally once work began.
Originally performed by Kehlani, “Folded” centres on the emotional aftermath of a breakup and the tension between needing space and ending a relationship altogether. Kabusa Oriental Choir retains those themes while shifting the song’s presentation toward Afrosoul and choral music.
“Ever ended a relationship in the heat of the moment and immediately wished you could hit pause instead of stop?” the choir said when discussing the song’s message. “It’s a look at the fine line between needing space and throwing away something good.”
Kehlani’s performance served as a key reference point throughout the process, particularly the emotional quality of her vocal delivery. Rather than dramatically altering the song’s core, the choir focused on translating those emotions through harmonies and ensemble performance.
The release arrives ahead of a planned tour, where the group expects to include the song in its live set.
For Nwamara, the project also reflects his broader approach to creativity.
“When a song is calling out to you, you better answer it,” he said. “Otherwise it starts calling someone else.”
“Folded” Kabusa Oriental Choir by is available now on major streaming platforms.
